The Fat Goose Craft Collective is committed to the creation of venues and opportunities for crafts people of any stripe to exhibit and sell their work and for the public to access affordable, high-quality handmade goods while enjoying the craft scene’s special aura of community and artistic achievement. We use a not-for-profit model, are volunteer-driven, and are run by craftspeople for craftspeople.

In 2009, after recognizing a demand for more interesting and accessible venues among local makers looking to showcase and market their work, a dedicated team of like-minded craftspeople and artists formed to organize the Fat Goose Craft Fair. During the planning phase for the 2011 fair, that team decided to form a distinct collective to further their mandate and expand upon the fair’s growing popularity.

The Collective has managed to coordinate a fair that is seen as a top venue for holiday season craft exhibition and sale in Kingston and that has drawn ever-more applicants and patrons since its inception. The fair is juried according to the following criteria: work should be local, represent unique and original ideas, add to the diversity in products available at the fair, and demonstrate depth of process and high quality of finish. The Collective aims to enrich the local economy with art and fun, creative and community-minded events while partnering with local community groups. In past years, we have collaborated with Apple Crisp Entertainment, CFRC 101.9FM, Jessup Food & Heritage Co. and Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre.